This is sort of comics related. Last weekend me and Rachel and Helene Silverman and Gary Panter drove up to Providence RI to attend the opening of “Wunderground“, a massive show of Providence posters 1995-05 and a group of installations by eight artists including Mat Brinkman, Erin Rosenthal, Brian Chippendale, Jim Drain, Leif Goldberg and Jungil Hong. Helene and I art directed the catalog for the RISD Museum. Anyhow, the show is totally amazing. The posters are astounding of course, rivaled only by the 1960s psychedelic explosion on the West Coast. The installations are massive and truly inspired. I’ve never seen a show quite like it, and its vitality is astounding. This kind of work just isn’t made anywhere else. Its real mystery, humor and love should be beacon for other artists. Below is a photo report of sorts.

Here’s a 20-foot tall paper mache ogre by Mat Brinkman. Title: Maximum Ogredrive.

And here’s Jim Drain’s piece, constructed around a totem pole from the museum’s collection:

Here’s a view of Chippendale’s house and one of Erin’s sculptures.

And inside Brian’s house:

And here’s part of Leif’s sculpture, which also projects a fantastic animated film.

and a screen shot:

Anyhow, that’s the story. Go see this show if at all possible.

Labels: Brian Chippendale, Drain, Erin Rosenthal, exhibitions, Gary Panter, Helene Silverman, Jungil Hong, Mat Brinkman, RISD, Rube Goldberg, Wunderground